Self-aligning siding and shingle



Jan. 11, 1966 H. v. ETTORE 3,228,164

SELF-Amann@ sum1@ AND SHINGLE Filed Feb. 27, 1963 I l HAROLD V ETTORE mvENToR United States Patent O 3,228,164 vSELF-ALIGNING SIIHNG AND SHINGLE Harold V. Ettore, Yorktown Heights, NX., assignor to United States Plywood Corporation, New York, NX., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 27, 1963, Ser. No. 261,389 4 Claims. (Cl. 52-539) The present invention is concerned with an improved self-aligning lap lignocellulose structure. The invention is more particularly concerned with a lap structure which may com-prise clapboard sidings, shingles or equivalent elements such as 4 x -8 panels and the like. The elements or structures may be of wood .or of any composition or molded lmaterial and the like which is used as a covering, particularly as an outer covering for houses and other buildings. One object of the present invention is to provide a siding element which is wind and weatherproof and which will prevent insects and the like from entering the building. In general, the siding of the present invention is preferably a wood or woody base (ibagasse, corn stalks), generally Ia lignocellulose 4base such as lumber, plywood, hardboard, particle board, chipboard, waterproof insulating boards and impregnated paper pulp boards, and the like. A very desirable lap structure of the present invention is a plywood or lumber .element which has a plastic impervious film adhered at least on its exposed -outer surface.

The clapboard or lap structure of the present invention will have no exposed nail holes and will require no putty or other fillers. The siding is firmly held iat both the top and the bottom to give the desired lap between courses. The present structure will provide a covering of long life, of pleasing and attractive appearance, and will require a very low cost of upkeeping. As pointed ont heretofore, the siding of the present invention is preferably of lignocellulose base as, for example, plywood, which will provide sealing means associated therewith and which will effectively seal the joints between the overlapping shingles and/or clapboard to provide a cushion in order to `prevent breakage and the like.

It is well-known in the art that when 4rigid types of covering elements are applied, particularly to `a building structure they must overlap, whereby a portion of each rigid element is covered by another element to .provide a weatherproof construction. The rigid elements with which this invention is concerned are commonly secured to structures by means of nails or various types of clips.

One preferred siding element of the present invention is a lignocellulose base wood structure as, for example, plywood which has been coated with a plastic or equivalent film or a covering of a mixture of resin and fibers, such 'as Crezorr With certain types of decorative plywood, it is preferred that the plastic film be transparent and that the board, as for example the plywood board have the film extend over the edges and further extend to at least a portion of the back surface of the plywood. One satisfactory iilm comprises ya polyvinyl Afluoride film manufactured by the Du Pont Company and sold under the tradename Tedlan It is also within the concept of the present invention to use other types of plastic skins, or phenolic resin fiber compositions such as Crezon manufactured by Crown Zellerbach. Resin impregnated paper is also a satisfactory covering. A satisfactory plastic or semi-plastic covered board is Duraply manufactured by U.S. Plywood.

The self-aligning exterior siding of the present invention may be readily understood by reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments of the same.

FIGURE l is a side View of the siding attached to a structure.

`FIGURE 2 illustrates in some detail the structure of one siding element of the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is an exploded View and Villustrates one method of butt joining of two vertical pieces of siding.

FIGURE 4 is a section taken on the line 1 -.4 of FIG- URE 2.

FiGURE 5 illustrates a preferred adaptation which leliminates the utilization of alignment strips.

Referring specifically to FIGURE l, studding 1 or .equivalent structural backing elements are shown vertically positioned on base structure `2 which, in turn, is positioned on foundation .10. Flooring 11 is also illustrated.

Two pieces of vsiding 3 and 4 are shown a-iiixed to the studding by means of nails or equivalent elements 5 and 6. Axed to the rear of the siding elements 3 and 4 are alignment strips 7 and 3 respectively.

Alignment strip S contains a 45 recess in the lower edge thereof into which seats the upper edge of panel 3. Thus, by carefully aligning the lirst course comprising ka plurality of elements 3 to the structure, the succeeding courses can be readily and very accurately and quickly nailed to the structure.

As illustrated, a starter strip ,9 afixed by means of nails 12 is used at the lower end of the first course which seats into the lower edge of strip 7 which is also beveled 45 at its lower edge.

FIGURE 2 illustrates in some detail one type of element of the present invention. For example, when a panel or shingle is about 12 x 12l x 3/s" plywood having three plies, it is preferred that the backing strip be about Vs" in thickness and about 1/2" long and have a 45 cut at the lower edge thereof. The angle, of course, can vary from about 30 to 60. The angle of .the upper edge of the ply should also be equivalent to the angle of the lower edge of the backing strip in order to secure a perfect seat and resultant tight weatherproof tit.

A piastic or semi-plastic film, i.e., a Waterproof film 2t) is shown extending along the outer surface of panel 4 around the lower edge thereof and upwardly for a distance along the back edge thereof. A preferred adaptation is to have the covering extend over the top beveled edge and kalong the side edges of the panel and along the back surface for a predetermined distance of from about 1A to l or more. -By having the plastic film or covering extend over the top edge of the panel, which edge seats in the recess of the alignment strip of the next course, a very desirable tight weatherproof joint is secured.

Under certain circumstances, it may be desirable to also laminate the alignment strips with the lilm, particularly the under surface of the recess of strip 8` so that a film to fil-m joint is secured. This will result in a very snug and a very effective weatherproof joint between the respective courses.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a desirable technique and method of butt joining adjacent panels. Wedge 21 which is preferably supplied loose, may be affixed to the framing member 22 of the structure if desired. A clip 23 having an extending tab 24 is attached to panel 25, after which the clip is nailed (through the wedge 2l if used) to the stud 22. A clip 26 is attached to panel 27, which clip contains an outwardly extending tab 28. The taby 28 of clip 26 slides over the Wedge 21 and under the adjacent panel 25. Clip 26 is positioned on the edge of panel 27 in vertical alignment so that tab 28 will slide under panel 27 immediately above clip 23. By this means the panels are attached to the structure along the lateral edges in a very rigid fashion `and will be permanently secured thereto. It is to be understood that other methods of joining may comprise a tongue and groove joint along the edges thereof, a spline. joint, a T spline joint, or an offset tongue and groove type of joint.

3 Referring specifically to FIGURE 5, a preferred method is to use a thicker substrate 40 and route out the lower section thereof 41 in order to secure the self-locking feature into the panel. This will eliminate the utilization of -alignment strips. The upper section of t-he routed out a-rea may comprise an angle in the range from about 30 -to 60, into which the upper section of the panel seats. For example, when utilizing a five ply element, the lower area may be routed out to the extent of the two lower plies.

It is also within the concept of the present invention to use alignment strips which may comprise corrosion Iresistant metals. Under `certain circumstances, it may be desirable to provide weep holes 30 and 31, particularly in the lower starter strip 9. However, if sheathing is used on top of the stud, it is within the concept of the present invention to provide weep holes as required.

Thus, the structure of the present invention permits the use of plywood sidings whereby the same are permanently axed to the structure. The structure permits the use of plywood siding withou-t resulting denting, splitting and damage. The structure of the present invention produces walls of great strength and rigidity that insulate the structure against transfer of either hea-t or cold.

As pointed out heretofore, the structures of the present invention are preferably plywood sidings having adhered thereto waterproof and weather resistant films. These lms may be either transparent in order to have the decorative wood appear therethrough or may be of the type which will permanently take paints, enamels, and the like. Other films may be used as, for example, metal foils such as aluminum and copper foils and aixed as described with respect to t-he transparent films.

The method of adhering the film to the board or plywood may be varied appreciably. However, one satisfactory method is to prime the face of the panel with a satisfactory adhesive, to flash oif the excess solvent and then to apply the film from a Iroll or to flow on a resinfiber mix. In one method of operation, the edge of the film is coated with adhesive over the area that the lm is yapplied along the edges and to lthe rear of the plywood. A very desirable method of applying the lm or encapsulating the panel is described in copending application 'Serial No. 228,478, filed October 4, 1962, entitled Panel Edge Covering.

Thus, as pointed out heretofore, the panels may be of any desirable size from a 4 x 8 type of siding to a 12 x 12 type shingle. The plies may vary from 3 to 5 and more having a thickness of from s to 3A" and greater. The alignment strips will also vary depending upon the size of the sheet or panel.

What is claimed is:

1. A fiat, elongated lignocellulose board of uniform thickness having a downwardly and inwa-rdly inclined bevel at its upper edge directed to a rear face of said board, a downwardly and outwardly inclined bevel at its lower edge directed to an outer face of said board to provide a drip area, a fastening strip secured to said rear face of said .board and spaced from the lower edge thereof and extending across the entire width of said board, said strip being upwardly and outwardly beveled at its lower edge at an angle matching said bevel of said upper edge of ysaid board and parallel thereto, and having a channel spanning the top and bottom surfaces of the strip so that moisture may escape, and film over the exposed outer face of said board and wrapped around and covering said beveled edges of the board.

2. A board as set forth in claim 1 in which said film is plastic and lthe ends thereof are secured to the rear face of said board, and said channel in said fastening strip is open on the side opposite to said board.

3. A board as set forth in claim 1 in which said board is adapted to be directly fastened toy a supporting structure at only its upper edge. I.

4. A board as set forth in claim 1, a second simila Iboard contiguous to `said first board, the upper beveled edge of said second board matching with the beveled edge on sai-d fastening strip whereby the lower edge of said first board will be securely fastened to a supporting structure at its lower edge solely through this beveled connection.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,078,039 4/ 1937 Stoner 52-535 2,135,811 ll/1938 Goslin 52-542 2,231,007 2/1941 Vane 52-539 2,400,357 5/ 1946 Krajci 52-539 2,750,319 6/1956 Sanders.

2,779,979 2/ 1957 Sundelin et al. 52-479 2,802,764 8/1957 Slayter et al.

2,961,804 11/1960 Beckman 52-539 3,112,580 12/1963 Gould 52--309 EARL I. WITMER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FLAT, ELONGATED LIGNOCELLULOSE BOARD OF UNIFORM THICKNESS HAVING A DOWNWARDLY AND INWARDLY INCLINED BEVEL AT ITS UPPER EDGE DIRECTED TO A REAR FACE OF SAID BOARD, A DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY INCLINED BEVEL AT ITS LOWER EDGE DIRECTED TO AN OUTER FACE OF SAID BOARD TO PROVIDE A DRIP AREA, A FASTENING STRIP SECURED TO SAID REAR FACE OF SAID BOARD AND SPACED FROM THE LOWER EDGE THEREOF AND EXTENDING ACROSS THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF SAID BOARD, SAID STRIP BEING UPWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY BEVELED AT ITS LOWER EDGE AT AN ANGLE MATCHING SAID BEVEL OF SAID UPPER EDGE OF SAID BOARD AND PARALLEL THERETO, AND HAVING A CHANNEL SPANNING THE TOP AND BOTTOM SURFACES OF THE STRIP SO THAT MOISTURE MAY ESCAPE, AND FILM OVER THE EXPOSED OUTER FACE OF SAID BOARD AND WRAPPED AROUND AND COVERING SAID BEVELED EDGES OF THE BOARD. 